Who is affected by functional ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are the most common cause of small ovarian growths in women of childbearing age.¹ They are commonly seen in women who:

Are between the ages of 20 and 35.
Smoke. Smokers are twice as likely to have ovarian cysts as nonsmokers.¹
Are being treated for infertility with medications such as clomiphene citrate (for example, Clomid or Serophene).
Have endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or bulimia.

References

Citations

Katz VL (2007). Benign gynecologic lesions. In VL Katz et al., eds., Comprehensive Gynecology, 5th ed., pp. 452–557. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier.

Credits

Author	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	November 10, 2008